Method and apparatus for supplying a liquid to a fluid pressure medium under flow



Aug. 28, 1951 M P. KETELSEN 2,565691 METHOD AND APPRTUS FOR SUPPLYING A LIQUID TO A FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM UNDERF'LOW Filed NOV. 29, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l I la "L asiilMI-liilll Snventor /Deer Affile/s60 4 l g8 Z (Ittorneg s Aug. 28, 1951 P. KETELSEN 2,565,691

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING A LIQUID T0 A FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM UNDERFLOW Filed Nov. 29, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 o gygy 4o 7\' g` a \\`k &\

6 /2 /aL /5 l 8 55 Gttornegx Aug. 2s, 1951 KETELSEN 2,565,691

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING A LIQUID TO A FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM UNDERFLOW Filed NOV. 29, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet ."5

:mentor /3 Clitornegs Patented Aug. 28, 1951 METHOD AND APPARATUSv FORI SUPPLYING A LIQUID TO A FLUID PRESSURE MEDIUM UNDER FLOW Peter Ketelsen, Wichita, Kans., assignor to Air Appliances, Inc., Wichita, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application November 29, 1948, Serial No. 62,548 l 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for supplying a liquid to a uid pressure medium under ow, for example, a lubricant into a stream of compressed air being delivered to a pneumatically operated mechanism which requires lubrication of the Working ,parts that are contacted -by the compressed air.

The principal object of the invention is to provide for injection and control of the lubricant in a manner to supply the exact amount required, thereby avoiding Waste and assuring optimum efliciency of the machine being operated.

Another object of the invention is to supply the lubricant in a finely atomized or substantially vaporous form, thereby assuring uniform entrainment of the lubricant particles in a owing stream of the pressure medium.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a simple and inexpensively constructed device that is positive in operation which functions responsive to the aspirating effect of the air or fluid pressure medium; and to provide for control of the aspirating effect to regulate finely the quantity of lubricant introduced into the fluid pressure mediiun.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device whereby an ample volume or over supply of lubricant is delivered to a capillary feeder from which the desired amount of lubricant is aspirated into a flow of pressure medium; to provide a device that is connected into the pressure supply line at any desired point, with the controls and ller plug all positioned for ready access thereto; to provide a non-clogging lubricator; to lprovide a device with working parts that are readily accessible for inspection and replacement; and to provide a device which permits use of a transparent lubricant container.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved structure, the preferred forms of whichV are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the .present invention, parts being broken away and shown in section to better illustrate the construction and arrangement of now passageways.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the head portion of the device, the inlet pipe being shown in cross section.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the device on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail cross section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, particularly illustrating the parts for supplying lubricant to the wick feeder.

Fig. 6 isa similar section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4 illustrating the lports through which lubricant is aspirated from the wick feeder.

Fig. '7 is a vertical section through the upper portion of the device taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2, particularly illustrating the lleropening through which lubricant is supplied to the lubricant receptacle.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through a modied form of device. y

Fig. l0 is a section on the line IIJ- I0 of Fig. `9.

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary sectionfon the line II-II of Fig. l0.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a device constructed in accordanceY with the present invention for feeding a liquid to a fluid pressure medium under flow, for example, a lubricant into'a flow of compressed air being delivered to a pneumatically operated machine or the like.

The device comprises a head member 2 having a substantially circular base portion 3 encircled by a flange 4 provided with circumferentially spaced ears 5. Projecting upwardly from the portion 3 is a transverse extension or rib 6 in which is provided a main uid pressure passageway 'I having depending leg portions 8 and 9 in connection with lateral ports I0 and I I. The ports I0 and I I are internally threaded to connect aligning pipe sections I2 and I3 of a fluid pressure medium supply duct which conducts the pressure medium from a source of supply to an operating device. The extension 6 also has a secondary passageway I4 interconnecting the legs 8 and 9 preferably in axial registry with the ports Il] and II. The passage I4 is of Venturi shape in that it has a constriction I5 for increasing velocity of now across a lateral port or passage I6 later described.

Formed in the base portion 3 is a recess I1. Cooperating with the head member and depending below the recess is a cup-shaped receptacle I8 for containing a body of liquid I9, for example, a lubricant to be supplied to the pressure medium flowing through the Venturi passageway I4. The receptacle I8 is preferably formed of transparent material and has an annular wall 20 rounding into a rounding bottom 2I. The rim 22 of the Wall 2li has an annular outwardly projecting ange 23 that seats within a recess 24 encircling the recess II. The flange is retained in seated position by a camping ring 25 encircling the flange 23 and havingan inwardly ex# tending annular ledge 26 engaging under the To assure a leak-tight joint betweenthe head member is preferably provided with a rib 32 that engages in a groove 33 in the'upper face of the rim.

In accordance wit-h the present inventionl the lubricant in the receptacle is supplied to the e flow of pressure medium in a finely atomized or vaporized form so that it is uniformly entrained by the `pressure medium. In accomplishing this result the lubricator is constructed to produce an aspirating eiect upon a capillary feed of the 'lubricant and to Supply the lubricant to they capillary feeding means in ample quantity without possibility of drawing slugs of lubricant into -the Venturi-shapedpassageway.

f The aspirating means inaddition to the Venturi-shaped passageway |4 includes a fitting 34 havinga cylindrical body 35 that is suspended 4within Vthe space above the lubricant by a reduced threaded neck 36 which'is threaded into an internally threaded socket 310i the cap member, the socket 31 being in axial alignment with the port I6. The neck 36 of the fitting forms an annular shoulder 38 with the body 35 thereof to seat against a face of the boss 39 to cooperate with the threaded connection in forming a leaktight jointV between the receptacle and the port 4| 6. The fitting has a transverse canal 40 connecting the circumferential groove or channel 4|`on the body 35 with an axial bore 42 register- -ing with the port |6 and through which lubricant is aspirated from the capillary feeding means as later described. f Y

1 #The lower end of the body is of reduced diameter and has a circumferential depending lip 43 from which excess lubricant drains back into the receptacle as later described. Formed axially of the reduced lower end of the body 35 is a threaded neck 44 having a bore 45 that continues into the reduced portion of the body and connects with crossed diametrical channels 46 which open through the circumferential face thereof for discharging lubricant onto a capillary feeder 41. The capillary feeder comprises a tubular vwick 48 which is sleeved over the body portion of the iitting in covering relation with the circumferential groove 4| and which is attached to the fitting above the groove by a circumferential tie 49 which presses the material of the wick into a circumferential groove 50 in the fitting. The wick is of suiiicient length to depend below the outlets 5| of the channels 46 and cooperates with the reduced portion of the cylindrical body to provide an annular passageway 52 therebetween through' which lubricant discharged from the .outlets is sprayed onto the skirt portion of the tubular wick and from which excess lubricant outwardly toward the wall of the receptacle and terminates in a reverse curve connected with a lubricant inlet fitting 56. The other leg of the duct comprises a tube 51v having its upper end connected with a check valve 58 by a union nut 59 that is threaded on the tube-like body 66 of the check valve. The upper end of the tubelike body 68 is threaded into an internally threaded recess 6| connecting with a bore 62 opening from the leg 8 of the main passageway 1. The lower end of the tube 51 curves outwardly and inwardly to connect with the inlet fitting 56 to complete the U-shaped duct. The inlet fitting 56 has a valve chamber 63 forming a flow connection between the tubes 53 and 51 and with the body of lubricant through an inlet port 64. A ball valve 65 is supported in position to close the port 64 by a coil spring'66 that is carried in the valve chamber 63. y Y

The tubular body .680i the check valve carries an inlet nozzle 61 that extends through the bore 62 and projects into the path of the pressure medium that issues from the pipe section I2 when the pneumatic machine is in operation as later described. The nozzle 61 has a bore 68 that continues into the body of the check valve and terminates in a seat 69 for aball valve 10 that is normally retained in seated position by a coil spring 1| enclosed in the body oi the valve and which has its lower end seated upon a shoulder 12 in encircling relation with a port 13 that connects with the tube Y51. Y

In order to control the volume flow of lubricant into the pressure fluid, means is provided to regulate the aspirating elect on the lubricant as now to be described.. The head of the lubricator carries a regulating mechanism 14 including a piston type valve 15 reciprocably mounted in the bore 16 formed in a lateral extension 11 and which terminates in a collar 18 having an internallythreaded bore 19 of slightly larger diameter than the bore 16. The bore 16 connects with the recess |1 through a slot-like port that extends longitudinally of the bore 16 and which is adapted to be valved off by the piston 15 so that the effective area of the port is adjusted by the position of the piston-like valve. The bore 16 also connects with the port |6 through a channel 8|. The aspirating effect on the capillary feeder is thus controlled by adjusting the piston 15 to allow a portion of the aspirating effect created by the pressure medium iiowing through the Venturi-shaped passageway to be expended through the port 80 and thereby lessen the aspirating eiiect on the lubricant which results in reducing the amount of lubricant drawn into the pressure medium.

In order to adjust the position of the piston the piston is provided with a stem 82 having a threaded collar 83V engaging the threads 19. The stem also carries a knurled knob 84 having a sleeve portion 85 that telescopes over the collar 18 when the knurled knob is rotated to position the piston. With this arrangement the effective area of the slot-like port may be calibrated by providing a certain pitch of threads and by providing the sleeve portion of the adjusting knob with a mark 86 which is adapted to register with a mark 81 on the collar after each complete turn of the knob. The collar 18 may also be graduated transversely as indicated at 88 in correspondence with the pitch of the threads. Therefore a micrometer adjustment is provided so as to accurately position the piston in providing an effective port area to give the desired amount of lubricant fed into the flow of pressure medium. The lubricant may be inserted into the receptacle through-a lill opening 89 in the head member 2 and which'is normally closed by a threaded plug 90 carrying a gasket 9| which forms a pressure-tight seal about the ll opening 89.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 1l the structure is substantially the same with the exception that the pressure inlet check valve 92 corresponding with the check valve 58 is connected by a port Q3 with an inlet nozzle 94 that is positioned transversely of the passageway 95 intermediate the ends of the Venturi-shaped passageway 96. In this form the nozzle 94 includes a tube Sl rotatably mounted in a bore 98 forming a continuation of the port 93 and which provides lbearing portions $9 and IIl on the respective sides of the passageway 95. The outer end of the nozzle has a collar portion IilI that is rotatable Within a counterbore it! that is formed in a boss ID3 of the cap member. The collar portion IGI carries a packing ring IUI! that seals about the collar and prevents the loss of pressure medium. The collar portion mi carries an adjusting knob |05 by which the nozzle may be rotated to position a slot IUS of the nozzle in facing relation with one or the other of the legs IG'I and |08 of the passageway 95 whereby the lubricator is effective in feeding lubricant into the pressure medium regardless of the direction of flow of the pressure medium therethrough. This is an important feature as it permits locating the filler plug and adjusting mechanism in convenient position for operation when the lubricator is located in close proximity to a machine. The direction of flow in which the nozzle is eiective is indicated by an arrow H39 carried on the head of the adjusting nut as shown in Fig. 10. The structure of the lubricator is otherwise substantially the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive and the operation and method of introducing lubricant into the pressure medium is the same.

In using a lubricator of the type shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the port Iii on the inlet side having the nozzle 6l is connected to the upstream pipe section I2 and the port I I is connected to the downstream pipe section I3 which leads to the pneumatically operated machine.

When the control valve of the machine (not shown) is operated to allow flow of pressure medium through the line including the pipes I2 and I3, the major portion of the pressure medium travels through the passageway 'I and the remaining portion through the Venturi-shaped passageway i4 to produce an laspirating effect through the port It. The pressure impulse caused by opening the control valve of the machine effects unseating of the ball valve 'I0 so that a portion of the pressure medium is bypassed through the tube 'i and effects discharge of lubricant that has entered through the port 64 through the tube 54 upon closing of the ball valve '65, the lubricant discharging upon the capillary feeder to effect substantial saturation and feed of the lubricant by capillary action to the annular groove 4U. The surplus lubricant drips into the receptacle. The increased velocity of the pressure medium upon passing through the restricted portion of the venturi produces a low pressure area over the port I6 to produce an aspirating effect on the lubricant exposed by the groove 4I and the lubricant is drawn through the inlets of the canal 40 and the axial bore 42 to the port I6 where it is discharged into the pressure medium flowing through the venturi. The lubricant thus discharged is in nely divided and substantially vaporous form and when discharged from the Venturi-shaped passageway, the particles uniformly entrain with the pressure medium flowing to the machine being operated.

When the machine operating valve is closed and flow of pressure medium is suspended the ball valve 'I0 seats and the valve l65 unseats to allow lubricant to iiow from the receptacle through the inlet port 6d into the U-shaped duct ready to be Ydischarged onto the capillary feeder when the machine valve is again operated.

In order to assure the proper amount of lubricant rbeing delivered' into the pressure medium, the piston-like valve 'I5 is adjusted so as to vary the' eiective area in the slot-like port 80 and thereby regulate the aspirating action so that the effectiveness thereof is just suiiicient to draw the desired amount of lubricant, the proper position of the valve 'I5 being readily noted by the calibrations 80.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to l1 inclusive operates in kexactly the same -rnanner except that the inlet nozzle 94 is positioned according to the direction of flow of pressure medium through the lubricator. That is, the knob |65 is turned to a position where the arrow |08 is pointing in the direction of the ai'r ow. The slot-like port therein is then in position to intercept and divert a portion of theair flow to operate the pump mechanism.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a method and apparatus for supplying liquid to a fluid pressure medium under iiow in the 'amount required, thereby avoiding waste and assuring optimum efliciency ofthe machine op'- erated. It is also obvious that I have provided a lubricator that is of simple and inexpensiveo construction and which effects feed of the lubricant in a finely atomized or vaporous form to assure uniform entrainment thereof with the stream of pressure medium.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of supplying a liquid to la iluid pressure medium under flow including effecting initial movement of the liquid in excess of need from a source of supply by pressure of said fluid pressure medium, effecting subsequent movement of a portion of the liquid by capillary action to a place of aspiration, returning the remaining portion of the liquid to the source of supply, and aspirating the liquid moved by capillary action into the fluid pressure medium.

2. The method of supplying a liquid to a iluid pressure medium under flow including effecting movement of the lubricant from a source of supply by pressure of said fluid pressure medium, absorbing a portion of the moving liquid, aspirating the absorbed liquid into the fluid pressure medium, and controlling the aspirating eiiect on said absorbed liquid by drawing pressure medium from the source of supply to the point of aspiration independently of sai dabsorption for relieving the aspirating effect on the absorbed liquid to regulate the amount of liquid supplied to the fluid pressure medium.

3. The method of supplying a liquid to a iiuid pressure medium under flow including effecting movement of an excess amount of the lubricant from a source of supply by pressure of said fluid pressure medium, absorbing a portion of the liquid, returning the remaining portion of the liquid to the source of supply, aspirating the absorbed liquid intoy the fluidipriessure medium, and controlling the vaspirating effect on said absorbed liquid by drawing pressure medium from the source of supply to the point of aspiration for relieving the aspirating effect on the absorbed liquid to regulate the amount of liquid supplied to the fluid pressure medium.

4. A lubricator having a passage connecting an inlet with an outlet for a fluid pressure medium, aspirating means for effecting discharge of a lubricant into the fluid pressure medium in said passage, an absorbent material having connection with the aspirating means and with the inlet to said passage for conducting said lubricant to the aspirating means by capillary( action, means for conducting lubricant to the absorbent material in excess of the rate of feed by said capillary action, and pulsating means in said conducting means actuated by pulsations of the fluid pressure medium into said conducting means for intermittent inlet of uid pressure medium.

5. A lubricator having a passage for a fluid pressure medium, aspirating means for conducting lubricant into the passage responsive to aspirating effect of fluid pressure medium moving through said passage, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, capillary feeding means connected with the aspirating means for supplying said lubricant to the aspirating means, duct means having an inlet in connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct means and having an inlet from said passage for admitting pressure medium to move the lubricant through said duct means, said duct means having a discharge to the capillary feeding means for supplying said lubricant thereto, and a check valve controlling flow of lubricant through said inlet and adapted to be actuated by pulsations in said uid pressure medium.

6. A lubricator having a passage for a uid pressure medium, aspirating means for conducting lubricant into the passage responsive to aspirating effect of fluid pressure medium moving through said passage, capillary feeding means connected with the aspirating means, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, duct means having an inlet in connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct means and having an inlet from said passage for admitting fluid pressure medium 'to move the lubricant through said duct means, said duct means having a discharge to the vcapillary feeding means for supplying said lubricant thereto, and check val-ves controlling said inlets.

'7. A lubricator having a passage for a fluid pressure medium and having a passageway for conducting lubricant into the passage responsive to aspirating effect of fluid pressure medium moving through said passage and across said passageway, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, an absorbent material at the inlet to said passageway for conducting said lubricant to the passageway by capillary action, and duct means having an inlet in connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct means and having an inlet from said passage for admitting pressure medium to move the lubricant through said duct means, said duct means having discharge onto the absorbent material.

8. A lubricator having a passage for a fluid pressure medium and having a passageway for conducting lubricant into the fluid pressure passage responsive to aspirating effect of fluid pressure medium moving through said passage and 'across' said passageway, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, an absorbent material in connection with said passageway for conducting said lubricant to the passageway by capillary action, duct means having an inlet in connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct means vand having an inlet from said passage for admitting fluid pressure medium to move the lubricant through said duct means, said duct having discharge onto the absorbent material, and check valves controlling said inlets.

9. A lubricator having a passage for a fluid pressure medium, aspirating means for conducting lubricant into the passage responsive to aspirating eiect of fluid pressure medium moving through said passage, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, capillary feeding means having connection with the aspirating means, duct means connecting the receptacle with the capillary feeding means, means for passing fluid pressure medium into the duct means to move the lubricant through said duct means, and means for admitting pressure medium from the receptacle to said passage separately from said duct means for controlling the aspirating effect on said capillary feeding means.

l0. A lubricator having a passage for a fluid pressure medium and having a passageway for conducting lubricant into the passage responsive to aspirating effect of uid pressure medium moving through said passageway and across said passageway, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, an absorbent material for conducting said lubricant to the passageway by capillary action, duct means having an inlet connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct means and having an inlet from said passageway for admitting uid pressure medium to move the lubricant through said duct means, said duct means having a discharge for directing the lubricant into contact with the absorbent material for absorption thereby, check valves controlling said inlets, and means for admitting pressure medium from the receptacle to said passageway for controlling the aspirating effect on lubricant absorbed by the absorbent material.

11. A lubricator having a Venturi-shaped passageway and a main passageway having connection with the Venturi-shaped passageway in by passing relation with said Venturi-shaped passageway for dividing flow of a fluid pressure medium, the combination in said lubricator of capillary feeding means for delivering lubricant to the Venturi-shaped passageway for supplying lubricant to a pressure medium flowing therethrough to mix with a pressure medium owing through the main passageway, a receptacle for containing a supply of said lubricant, means for delivering lubricant from the receptacle to the capillary feeding means responsive to the pressure medium flow through the main passageway, venting means in connection with the receptacle and said Venturi-shaped passageway to control aspiration effect of the pressure medium flowing through said Venturi-shaped passageway on the lubricant feed by said capillary feeding means.

l2. A lulbricator having a Venturi-shaped passageway and a main passageway bypassing the Venturi-shaped passageway for dividing flow of a fluid pressure medium, a duct means having flow connection with the restricted portion of said Venturi-shaped passageway and having an inlet through which lubricant is aspirated into the flow through said Venturi-shaped passageway, a receptacle for containing a supply of lubricant, an absorbent material covering the inlet to said duct means for conducting lubricant by capillary action of said material, a duct having an inlet in connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct, an inlet member in connection with the duct and oscillatable in said main passageway to present an inlet opening thereof to the flow of pressure medium, said duct having a terminal positioned to discharge on the absorbent material for supplying lubricant to the absorbent material, and check Valves in said duct for controlling flow through the inlets of the duct.

13. A lubricator having a Venturi-shaped passageway and a main passageway bypassing the Venturi-shaped passageway for dividing ow of a fluid pressure medium, a. duct means having flow connection with the restricted portion of said Venturi-shaped passageway through which lubricant is aspirated into the iiow through said Venturi-shaped passageway, a receptacle for containing a supply of lubricant, an absorbent material covering said duct means for conducting lubricant by capillary action of said material, a duct having an inlet in connection with said receptacle for admitting lubricant into said duct, and an inlet member in connection with the duct and oscillatable in said main passageway to present an inlet opening thereof to the flow of pressure medium, said duct having a terminal positioned to discharge on the absorbent material for supplying lubricant to the absorbent material.

14. A lubricator having a ow head provided with a Venturi-shaped passageway and a main l0 passageway bypassing the Venturi-shaped passageway for dividing flow of a iiuid pressure medium through said head and having a port in the restricted portion of said Venturi-shaped passageway through which lubricant is aspirated into the flow through said Venturi-shaped passageway, an absorbent carrying member carried by the iiow head and having a channel in connection with said port, a receptacle for containing a supply of lubricant, Ameans ior securing the flow head to the receptacle, an absorbent material covering the channel in said absorbent carrying member for conducting lubricant by capillary action of said material, a U-shaped duct means depending into the receptacle and having an inlet for admitting lubricant and having a leg portion connected with the main passageway for admitting fluid pressure medium for moving lubricant through said duct means and having a leg portion having discharge on the absorbent material for supplying lubricant to the absorbent material, and check valves controlling flow of lubricant and pressure medium into said duct means.

PETER KETELSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,621,771 Egan Mar. 22, 1927 2,229,176 Kehle Jan. 21, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 546,368 Great Britain 1942 

